DepEd sends experts, school nurses and social workers to Maguindanao for debriefing

COTABATO CITY, Dec. 17 – Education Secretary Jesli Lapus Thursday said teachers, school nurses and even social workers will be sent to Maguindanao to help elementary pupils cope up with the emotional and psychological implications of the Maguindanao massacre.

Lapus directive came after pupils in at least 10 elementary public schools in the towns of Shariff Aguak, Mamasapano, Ampatuan, Datu Hofer, Datu Salibo and Datu Unsay refused to report for school following the Nov. 23 massacre of 57 people, the presence of sizable government forces and the declaration of military rule.

In a radio interview, Lapus said the experts will conduct psychological stress debriefing to thousands of students obviously affected by the Maguindanao massacre and the declaration of Martial Law. Martial Law has been enforced for a week beginning Dec. 5.

Most of the students who refused to return to school feared for their safety and fear of the presence of many armed men, school officials said.

Almost three weeks after the Maguindanao massacre, pupils still refused to go to school.

To address this problem, Lapus said, DepEd experts, including school nurses and social workers, will help them cope up with problem.

Lapus said DepEd has designed a "home study program" aimed at "bringing the school to the pupil's homes or villages" where the pupils feel they are safe.

Maguindanao school officials explained that classes were only suspended for a day or two following the massacre but when school campuses were opened, no pupils showed up.

"This is understandable and we are doing something about it," according to Secretary Udtog Kawit of DepEd-ARMM.

This despite assurances from the military and police that Maguindanao is slowly returning to normalcy.(PNA)

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